Victor Osimhen's future seems to be in Turkey. The 26-year-old forward scored 37 goals and 8 assists in 41 games last season with Galatasaray and Okan Buruk's team is very close to closing his definitive transfer with Napoli.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Partenopei team will accept 75 million euros net for the Nigerian, 5 'kilos' above his current market value (70 M€). However, the journalist assures that the Turks would only pay 40 million immediately.
The remaining 35 M€ would be paid in installments, as long as Galatasaray provides guarantees that support the payment scheme. Osimhen only has one year left on his contract with Napoli, a key factor for the Italians to end up selling him for a lower price.
Should Barça have entered the bidding for Osimhen?
In that sense, FC Barcelona could well have entered the bidding for the '9', but finally the club set as a priority the signing of another left winger even when the one from Lagos, at the time, was offered to the azulgrana board.
The main reason for this decision is Robert Lewandowski's permanence in the azulgrana squad. The Pole will be, for the fourth consecutive season, the team's center forward, after scoring 42 goals in 52 matches with Hansi Flick's team in the 24/25 season.
'Lewy' had secured an extra year of contract if he played most of the previous season's matches as a starter and this, in addition, allows him to continue being the highest paid player in the squad.
In the 25/26 season, Robert will again invoice 26 M€ gross, 16 'kilos' more than what Victor Osimhen currently invoices (10 M€ gross). However, the Nigerian's character and his desire to be an undisputed starter led the azulgrana team to rule out his signing and that of any other center forward.
In addition to Lewandowski, Flick counts on Ferran Torres as an alternative. The 'Shark' comes from scoring 19 goals in the 24/25 season and has adapted very well to the German coach's scheme, being a reference in the area, but with a lot of mobility to free up spaces for Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
Similarly, the intention of the culé board is to incorporate a left winger who can also occupy the position of '9' in some opportunities. Therefore, Luis Díaz and Marcus Rashford remain as first alternatives in the summer market.
Osimhen rejects the millions from Arabia and will stay in Turkey
Osimhen arrived in Italy in 2020 from Lille for a total of 78.9 million, although the initial price of the signing was 50 M€ net and 10 in variables, in addition to four other players (three youth). In four seasons, he scored 76 goals in 133 official appearances, in addition to giving 18 assists.
The Nigerian also had a big offer from Al Hilal to go to Arabia, but has finally given the 'Ok' to the offer from a Galatasaray that intends to put together a very competitive XI this summer. The Turks have already signed Leroy Sané and they also want to go for Ter Stegen, taking advantage of the fact that the goalkeeper is not counting for Barça this summer.
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